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78 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, May 3, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend March 24, 2004 Linda Stevenson, with her dogs Gandalf, left, and Ben Hogan, says she�ll likely sell her 1887 home before a proposed golf course is built around her property. �It�s going to break my heart,� she says. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Historic home sits in path of new golf course By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Gary and Linda Stevenson’s 1887 Medford house and grounds are an island of history that sits in a sea of progress. "This place epitomizes what’s happening to our valley," said Linda Stevenson. "It’s beautiful out here and it’s going to be ruined." The Stevensons own two acres on North Phoenix Road in the middle of a golf course proposed by the Rogue Valley Manor. They live in the historic Frederic E. Furry house and are surrounded by 100-year- old trees and vistas of the valley stretching toward Mount Ashland. As much as they love the house they’ve owned and restored for the past 10 years, the Stevensons expect they won’t be living in it when the golfers begin teeing off. Advertisement "It’s going to break my heart," said Linda Stevenson. They don’t plan to fight the proposal because she thinks it will be approved by Jackson County. The manor already has a conditional use permit to build nine holes to the south of her, and the latest proposal before the county calls for an additional nine holes that will surround her grounds. Stevenson, 62, and her 66-year-old husband say it’s not the golf course that bothers them as much as what they believe are plans to build homes and cottages around the greens. The manor has responded that it can’t build homes because the property is zoned exclusive farm use. She said it is only a matter of time before the property is annexed into the city of Medford, then rezoned to allow for housing. Steve Rehn, Medford assistant planner, said it probably would be at least 10 years before the golf course property could be annexed. At that point, the manor could apply for a zoning change, he said. The Stevensons say they have resigned themselves to selling their property, but at what they consider a fair price. Linda Stevenson said the property is worth about $1 million. She cites a 100-acre property on the other side of North Phoenix Road that is selling for $250,000 an acre, minus the house. She said county data show the manor paid more than $12 million for the 458 acres of land, most of which was purchased from the Naumes family. The Stevensons said they have had some discussions with manor representatives, but Linda Stevenson said the manor doesn’t want to pay anywhere near the amount the couple think their property is worth. Manor attorney Rob Patridge declined to comment on any possible negotiations. "We want to continue to try and work with any affected property owners," he said. Linda Stevenson, a member of Friends of Jackson County, said the land conservation group doesn’t plan to fight the proposal. Group president Brent Thompson confirmed there will be no battle against the proposal. While he said many people like the idea of a golf course, he cited the use of herbicides and pesticides that help keep the fairways green. Still, he acknowledge, "People tend to like golf courses because they are at least not asphalt." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times